The 21-year-old was arrested and charged this week
The 21-year-old was arrested and charged this week
09:57, 30 Jan 2026Updated 09:59, 30 Jan 2026
A suspect has been named in connection to hoax emails sent to schools leading to lockdowns and children hiding under desks. Monday, January 19, saw Holly Lodge Girls’ College in West Derby go into lockdown when the school allegedly received a malicious hoax email which left pupils “severely distressed”, according to a source.
The source said the school was locked down immediately and Holly Lodge said the incident lasted 50 minutes from receipt of the alleged email to the dismissal of students. He added he was confident the response was “robust and efficient”.
Following the incident, it was reported that West Derby School, near to Holly Lodge, had announced it would not be opening on Wednesday, January 21, after it also allegedly received a malicious communication.
The school remained shut for the entire day before reopening the following day. Later that week, Greenbank High School in Southport was forced to lock all doors and windows, as well as cancelling outdoor lessons, when staff allegedly received a similar hoax email sent to Holly Lodge.
In a statement issued via Sefton Council, headteacher Davina Aspinall explained the school carried on with indoor lessons but were forced to make extra safety provisions such as closing and locking the doors and windows of buildings.
Merseyside Police attended the school and checked the grounds before deeming it safe.
Following the incident in Southport on Friday, January 23, The Belvedere Academy in Toxteth reported receiving a similar email which resulted in the school being placed in lockdown on Monday, January 26, before Merseyside Police confirmed officers believed it was another alleged hoax.
A worried parent said she rushed to the school after hearing about the incident. She told the ECHO: “The Belvedere Academy received an email threat today, kids and teachers were under tables, locked down while police swept the building.”
Merseyside Police has now charged Darren Rigby, 21, of of Worthington Close, Runcorn, with the following offences:
- Three counts of sending communication threatening death or serious harm
- Possession of a controlled Class B drug
- Possession of an offensive weapon in a private place (a baton)
He is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrate’s Court this morning (Friday 30 January).
Detective Inspector John Black said: “I hope our investigation reassures our communities how seriously we take these reports.
“I would like to take this opportunity to once again reassure parents and carers that schools across Merseyside have well established and practiced procedures to keep children and school staff safe when schools are made aware of potential incidents or threats.
“This work will continue and as a police force we will always look to provide advice to schools if required and carry out enquiries if such incidents occur in the future.”
